| ABIC | Adaptive Behavior Inventory for Children |
|---|---|
| ACCH | Association for the Care of Children's Health |
| ACLC | Assessment of Children's Language Comprehension |
| ACLD | Association for Children with Learning Disabilities |
| ACLS | advanced cardiac life support; Assessment of Children's Language Comprehension |
| immunization, flu | The flu (influenza) vaccine is recommended for persons at high risk for serious complications from influenza infection, including everyone 65 or over; people with chronic diseases of the heart, lung or kidneys, diabetes, immunosuppression, or severe forms of anaemia; residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, children and teenagers taking aspirin therapy (and who may therefore be at risk for developing reye syndrome after an influenza infection), and those in close or frequent contact with anyone at high risk. Persons with an allergy to eggs should not receive influenza vaccine. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| immunization, german measles | See Immunization, MMR. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, haemophilus influenzae type b | See immunization, hib. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, hepatitis a | When immediate protection against hepatitis a (infectious hepatitis) is needed, immunoglobulins are used. Protection is effective only if given within 2 weeks of exposure and lasts but 2-4 months. Immunoglobulins can be used to protect household contacts of someone with acute viral hepatitis and travelers to regions with poor sanitation and high hepatitis a rates, when the traveler has to depart sooner than the vaccines can take effect (about 2 weeks). Travelers can receive the immunoglobulin and vaccine simultaneously and be protected immediately and for longer term. When immediate protection is not needed, hepatitis a vaccines are considered for individuals in high-risk settings, including frequent world travelers, sexually active individuals with multiple partners, homosexual men, individuals using illicit drugs, employees of daycare centres, and certain health care workers, and sewage workers. Two hepatitis a vaccines called havrix and vaqta are commercially available in the u.s. Both are highly effective and provide protection even after only one dose. Two doses are recommended for adults and 3 doses for children (under 18 years of age) to provide prolonged protection. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, hepatitis b | Hepatits B (hep B) vaccine gives prolonged protection, but 3 shots over a half year are usually required. In the u.s., all infants receive hep b vaccine. Two vaccines (engerix-b, and recombivax-hb) are available in the us. The first dose of hep b vaccine is frequently given while the newborn is in the hospital or at the first doctor visit following birth. The second dose is given about 30 days after the initial dose. A booster dose is performed approximately six months later. Babies born to mothers testing positive for hep b receive, in addition, hbig (hep b immune globulin) for prompt protection. Older children (11-12 years) are advised to receive a hep b booster as are adults in high-risk situations including healthcare workers, dentists, intimate and household contacts of patients with chronic hep b infection, male homosexuals, individuals with multiple sexual partners, dialysis patients, iv drug users, and recipients of repeated transfusions. Health care workers accidentally exposed to materials infected with hep b (such as needle sticks), and individuals with known sexual contact with hep b patients are usually given both hbig and vaccine to provide immediate and long term protection. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, h. flu | See Immunization, HIB. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, hib | This vaccine is to prevent disease caused by the haemophilus influenzae type b (hib) bacteria. The h. Influenzae (h. Flu) bacteria can cause a range of serious diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and epiglottitis with airway obstruction poisoning. The hib vaccine is usually given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A final booster is given at 12-15 months of age. Hib vaccine rarely causes severe reactions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, infectious hepatitis | See Immunization, hepatitis a. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, influenza | See Immunization, flu. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, measles | See Immunization, MMR. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, mmr | The standard vaccine given to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (german measles). The mmr vaccine is now given in two dosages. The first should be given at12-15 months of age. The second vaccination should be given at 4-6 years (or, alternatively, 11-12 years) of age. most u.s. Colleges require proof of a second measles or mmr vaccination prior to entrance. Most children should receive mmr vaccinations. Exceptions may include children born with an inability to fight off infection, some children with cancer, on treatment with radiation or drugs for cancer, on long term steroids (cortisone). People with severe allergic reactions to eggs or the drug neomycin should probably avoid the mmr vaccine. Pregnant women should wait until after delivery before being immunised with mmr. People with HIV or aids should normally receive mmr vaccine. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines may be administered as individual shots, if necessary, or as a measles-rubella combination. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, mumps | See Immunization, MMR. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, passive | Transfer of immunity from immunised to non-immune host by administration of serum antibodies, or transplantation of lymphocytes (adoptive transfer). (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, pneumococcal pneumonia | This vaccine, which prevents one of the most common and severe forms of pneumonia, is usually given only once in a lifetime, usually after the age of 55, to someone with ongoing lung problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) or asthma) or other chronic diseases (including those involving the heart and kidneys). This vaccination would rarely be given to children. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, polio | The vaccines available for vaccination against polio are opv (oral polio vaccine) and ipv (inactivated polio vaccine). Opv is still the preferred vaccine for most children. As its name suggests, it is given by mouth. Ipv, or inactivated polio vaccine is given as a shot in the arm or leg. Infants and children should be given four doses of opv. The doses are given at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months and 4-6 years of age. Persons allergic to eggs or the drugs neomycin or streptomycin should receive opv, not the injectable ipv. Conversely, ipv should be given if the vaccine recipient is on long-term steroid (cortisone) therapy, has cancer, or is on chemotherapy or if a household member has aids or there is an unimmunised adult in the house. (12 Dec 1998) |